Educational Costs

The cost of education is somewhat difficult to talk about. There are so many considerations and ways of viewing expenses related to college attendance, that it is easy to become confused. Costs change from year to year, so when estimating cost, it is important to account for annual inflation that roughly parallels the rise in the cost of living. The figures here are estimates determined before actual rates have been set. The actual costs may be higher or lower than what is presented on this cost listing, but estimates should be in the general ballpark. Sometimes aid award packages are adjusted later in the year if actual tuition costs come in a lot higher than what had been predicted in the estimate.

It is best to consider college expenses in three categories:

1. Direct educational expenses made up of tuition and fees.

2. Living expenses made up of housing and meals.

3. Personal and miscellaneous expenses made up of personal and travel allowance.

4. Text Rental expenses made up for students to rent books.

The chart below provides basic information about estimated costs for all the above categories. If you are attempting to predict the costs for a future year beyond what is shown, you might want to add an inflationary adjustment of 6%-8% per year.

These budgets show what it typically costs to attend UW-Stevens Point for one year or two semesters. They represent base cost for a student living on-campus at the undergraduate and graduate level. Our research shows that if a student opts to live off-campus instead, expect room costs to be higher than illustrated. If the student is married or has dependents, an additional amount is added to help with related additional living expenses. Remember, if there are any special expenses related to the student's education (such as medical costs), it may be possible to add essential costs to the student's budget. That type of adjustment is made in conference with a financial aid counselor.

UW-Stevens Point does not state estimated costs on the financial aid award letter because of the variances in costs experienced by students depending upon tuition/fee category, housing arrangements, and the fact that actual tuition charges are often not determined by the Board of Regents until long after we commence the awarding of financial aid. Actual cost information will be shared with students attending new student orientation session during the summer, and a university bill is sent out in the month prior to the start of each term.

Cost of Education Financial Aid Budgets for 2011-2012

Undergraduate Student Budgets

Graduate Student Budgets